HISTORYOFLOCKS
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A selection of key stems and bits. As safe and vault doors got thicker so the stem got longer.
lock mechanism! Sometimes
keys are found where the bit
and stem have been braised
together to form a solid key.
The routine was to place the
key into its own lockable carry
case and this was then locked
into a special key safe or vault,
deposit box fashion. The
smaller, conveniently-sized
keys to the deposit box being
the ones held on the person.
The rituals and formalities
associated with the locking
and unlocking at this level are
fascinating, with quite a crowd
of ‘Guardians’ ‘Custodians’
,
and ‘Watchers’ etc. every time
something was placed in or
removed from a vault – but
that’s another story.
It is worth noting that even
today, keys that don’t have an
interactive element would be
vulnerable to both impression
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THE MAY/JUN 2014 ISSUE
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and observational techniques.
So, H. Emory Withers Chubb’s
comments in the late 19th
century are still very relevant
today: “It must not be
forgotten that the security
of a lock depends in part on
circumstances beyond the
control of the manufacturer.
‘Guard your Keys’ is a
sound motto for everyone,
particularly the owner of a
safe.”
‘Guard your keys’
Brian Morland, curator of
the Heritage Collection of
locks and keys, welcomes
comments and corrections
on historical aspects of
locks and keys. Brian can be
contacted by e-mail: brian@
morlands.demon.co.uk.
To read more, visit www.locksmithjournal.co.uk